Yuhuangdong Grotto in Zhangjiajie
The Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto is located approximately 7 kilometers west of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, on the southern cliff of Makong Mountain. It was funded and constructed by Li Jingkai (李京开), a local gentleman during the Qing Dynasty. Li Jingkai, also known as Li Wurui (李五瑞) and by the alias Jiudongle (九洞乐), was born in the 7th year of the Qianlong era (1742 AD) and passed away in the 25th year of the Daoguang era (1825 AD) at the age of 83.
Li was born into a wealthy family, famous in his locality, and he was a talented scholar in his youth. However, despite years of hard work in the civil service, he failed repeatedly in the imperial exams and was unable to secure an official position. Disillusioned with the system, Li turned inward, seeking solace and expression through art. He commissioned craftsmen to carve the natural limestone cave of Makong Mountain, creating a layout with three levels—Heaven, Human, and Hell—comprising a total of eight caves. Additionally, another cave was carved out in Fengquan Cave (峰泉洞), about 3 kilometers away, thus earning the site the name “Jiudongle” (Nine Caves of Joy).
Overview of the Cave Grotto
The Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto is structured with three main levels, each representing a different realm:
Upper Level: Heaven
- Yuhuangdong (玉皇洞): The topmost cave represents Heaven and contains a statue of the Jade Emperor, symbolizing supreme authority. This is the highest and most revered cave in the complex.
Middle Level: Human World
- Yujin Cave (玉金洞), also known as the Earth God Cave, is where the Earth God statue sits at the top. This figure symbolizes the governance of earthly matters, such as construction and agriculture, in Chinese folklore.
- Haobi Cave (毫笔洞), also known as the Kuixing Cave, features a statue of Kuixing, the God of the Imperial Examination.
- Mochi Cave (墨池洞), Hulong Cave (虎龙洞), Xiongshi Cave (雄狮洞), and Kongsheng Cave (孔圣洞) all represent different aspects of the human world, with intricate sculptures and poetic inscriptions.
Lower Level: Hell
- Yinfodong (因果洞): The final cave represents Hell, completing the spiritual journey from Heaven to Earth and down to the underworld.
The entire grotto spans over 300 meters, with 19 statues and more than 50 stone inscriptions. It holds historical significance, reflecting the sentiments of Li Jingkai and offering insights into the society, imperial exams, and intellectual thoughts of the time.
Famous Caves and Statues
Yujin Cave (玉金洞)
Yujin Cave, also known as the Earth God Cave, was completed in 1807 during the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign. The cave features a prominent statue of the Earth God, who was believed to govern all earthly matters, including construction and agriculture. It was common for people to worship the Earth God by making sacrifices before beginning construction projects or farming, seeking his blessings for prosperity and good harvests. Li Jingkai, after finishing the caves, also dedicated this statue to thank the Earth God.
Haobi Cave (毫笔洞)
Haobi Cave, also known as the Kuixing Cave, contains a large statue of Kuixing, the God of the Imperial Examination. The sculpture depicts Kuixing as an imposing figure, standing over eight feet tall, barefoot and chest exposed, holding a pen in one hand and clenching his fist in the other. The statue’s design, with Kuixing standing on a giant fish, symbolizes the scholar’s journey to success in the imperial exams. This is linked to the Chinese tradition where top scholars were symbolically said to “stand on the fish’s head” when they joined the Imperial Academy.
Cave Inscriptions and Couplets
The cave entrance features a famous couplet: “The hair of the pen reaches to the moon in the southern sky, the pen arrangement returns to the Big Dipper.” This reflects Li Jingkai’s aspiration to achieve literary greatness despite the limitations of the exam system. Above the entrance, the inscription “The Cave Lets Out Blue Clouds” (洞放青云) conveys his desire for success and recognition, which he was denied by the corrupt system. These inscriptions express the frustrations of Li Jingkai, who felt his talents had been wasted by an unjust society.
Significance of the Site
The Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto is not just a significant cultural and religious monument, but it is also an emotional representation of Li Jingkai’s life and experiences. His artistic and philosophical expressions within the caves reflect his personal disillusionment with the examination system and the societal structure of his time. The stone carvings, statues, and inscriptions offer valuable historical insight into the mindset of intellectuals during the Qing Dynasty. This grotto remains a unique and well-preserved example of Qing-era cave art and a key historical site in Hunan Province, listed as a protected cultural heritage site since 1959.
Luban Stone Statue (鲁班石像)
At the center of the cave’s wall, there is a stone statue, which represents Luban, revered as the ancestor of carpenters in both ancient and modern Chinese construction. The couplet on the statue reads: “毫厘不外规矩，笔墨深藏准绳,” which translates to “The smallest detail must adhere to the rules; the brush and ink hide deep principles.” The plaque reads, “方圆至也” (“Perfect Circle and Square”). On the surface, this praises Luban’s superb craftsmanship and the respect he commands for adhering to certain standards. However, the plaque, as cleverly interpreted by Mr. Li Jingkai, indirectly critiques the rigid examination system of the time, which prevented truly talented individuals from rising to prominence, thereby expressing the sentiment: “No rules, no square or circle.”
Moci Cave (墨池洞)
Moci Cave, also known as Wenchang Cave (文昌洞), was completed in the fifth year of the Jiaqing era (1800 AD). Inside the cave, there is a statue of Zhang Yazi, a figure from the Jin Dynasty (晋代), who is known for his upright character. The plaque above the statue reads: “文学赤胆” (“Literature’s Loyal Heart”). According to legend, Zhang Yazi, an official during the Jin Dynasty, was known for his integrity and loyalty. He was a literary and martial arts expert and became a deity worshiped by scholars in ancient China. In 1316, the Yuan Dynasty emperor honored Zhang Yazi as “Fuwenkaihua Wenchang Sili Hongren Emperor” (“Wenchang Emperor of Literature and Official Titles”), a deity controlling the imperial examination and merit-based positions. Mr. Li Jingkai sculpted this statue as a tribute to Wenchang Emperor and his hopes that a virtuous and capable ruler would oversee the imperial examinations, granting opportunities to talented scholars. The couplet on the statue reads: “淡墨题名固是文章盖世，丹池变化无非祖德惊天” (“Faint ink inscribes a name and indeed creates world-renowned literature; the red pool’s transformation is nothing but ancestral virtue, awe-inspiring”), showcasing both Mr. Li’s pride in his own talents and a self-deprecating acknowledgment that his failures in the examination system were due to the lack of extraordinary virtue.
The Mystery of the Couplets
Why are there couplets on the stone wall where only the upper line is carved, leaving the lower line absent, and the smoothed stone tablet without any inscriptions? Was Mr. Li Jingkai simply out of ideas or did he intentionally leave space for future generations to complete? If you are inspired, can you compose a poem or complete the couplet, leaving your own reflections behind?
Thunder Cave (雷电洞)
The Thunder Cave, named after the Heavenly Emperor (玉皇大帝), symbolizes the Emperor’s control over thunder and lightning. In the cave, you can see a statue of the Jade Emperor, wearing a golden crown and a dragon robe, sitting majestically in the center. He holds the Qian Kun belt, exuding an aura of authority. The surroundings are filled with green vines, trees, and unusual flowers. Sometimes, mist envelops the area, with purple clouds rising. From this vantage point, one can gaze down upon the fields and villages below, where roads crisscross and people come and go. Standing here feels almost like entering a fantastical realm, experiencing a sensation of ascension to the heavens, where one moment you are an ordinary mortal, and the next, you feel like a celestial being.
Tiger and Dragon Cave (虎龙洞)
The Tiger and Dragon Cave was built in the seventh year of the Jiaqing era (1802 AD). Inside the cave are statues of four ancient historical figures from Chinese history: Emperor Tang Yao (唐尧), Emperor Yu Shun (虞舜), Emperor Hou Ji (后稷), and Gao Yao (皋陶). Under the plaque “巍巍荡荡,” there is the statue of Emperor Tang Yao. Legend has it that Tang Yao was the leader of a tribal alliance during the late patriarchal period and was known for his virtue. He established officials to govern seasons and created a calendar. When he was disappointed with his son, Dan Zhu, he refused to make him his successor and instead selected Shun after conducting a three-year evaluation. After Tang Yao’s death, the people mourned deeply, as if they had lost a loved one.
Under the plaque “遍地书香,” there is a statue of Emperor Yu Shun, known for his ability to listen to the people’s opinions, select wise men to govern, and appoint Yu the Great to control flooding. According to legend, Yu died in the south after being exiled by Yu.
The statue under the plaque “高天粟满” represents Hou Ji, the ancestor of the Zhou Dynasty. Known for cultivating various crops, he contributed to the transition of Chinese society from a nomadic lifestyle to an agricultural one. His contributions marked a turning point in history. Finally, under the plaque “静静安安,” the statue of Gao Yao, a minister under Shun, represents the virtues of justice and law enforcement.
Mr. Li Jingkai sculpted these four historical figures not only to express his admiration for them but also as a reflection of his own longing for an ideal world. He hoped for a ruler like Tang Yao, who would govern with wisdom and pass the throne to virtuous individuals; for a country where scholars could rise to positions of importance, similar to how Shun appointed Yu the Great; for a person like Hou Ji, who would oversee agriculture and ensure abundant harvests; and for a just ruler like Gao Yao, who would maintain law and order.
Features of Yuhuangdong Cave
The Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto is located near the Maoyan River Drift (茅岩河漂流), which is an important part of the western tourism route in Zhangjiajie. The Mako Mountain (麻空山), also known as Moon Axe Mountain (月斧山), is a karst landscape with numerous caves along its cliffs, providing natural caves that were used for the grottoes.
The entire cave complex is more than 300 meters long from east to west, comprising 8 caves distributed in three layers: upper, middle, and lower. Currently, there are 19 statues and over 50 stone carvings preserved in good condition. This site is the only grotto sculpture and sculpture group in Southwest China and is a valuable historical relic.
The upper level, known as “Heaven,” features the Thunder Cave. The middle level, called “Human World,” includes the Yujin (玉金), Haobi (毫笔), Moci (墨池), Hulong (虎龙), Shizi (狮子), and Kongsheng (孔圣) caves, while the lower level, referred to as “Hell,” contains the Inverted Fate Cave (因果洞).
The cave’s three levels—60 meters from “Heaven” to “Human World” and 70 meters from “Human World” to “Hell”—are connected by narrow paths carved into the cliffs, creating a stunning and dramatic effect. The 8 caves in Yuhuangdong are diverse in content but remain harmonious in presentation.
Location and Directions to Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto
Address: Located on the southern foothills of Mako Mountain, 7 km west of Zhangjiajie City.
Directions from Zhangjiajie Railway Station to Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto:
- 11.8 km (22 minutes) via Dayong Road, Provincial Road 228, and County Road 109.
- Head northeast for 35 meters.
- Turn left at the first intersection onto Guanli Road and continue for 200 meters.
- Keep straight onto Guanli Road for 300 meters.
- Slight right onto Yingbin Road for 240 meters.
- Take the third exit at the roundabout onto Dayong Road and continue for 4 km.
- Turn left onto Provincial Road 228 (Ziwulu Road) and continue for 3.5 km.
- Slight left onto County Road 019 and continue for 1.6 km.
- Turn left onto County Road 109 and continue for 1.9 km.
Yuhuangdong Cave Grotto
Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province.
